V2x application enabler for tele-operated driving

ABSTRACT

A method of operating a first device in a wireless communication network is provided. The method includes operations of establishing a tele-operated driving session between the first device and a second device, updating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device, and terminating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 national stage application of PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2020/073478 filed on Aug. 21, 2020, which in turn claims domestic priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/891,892, filed on Aug. 26, 2019, the disclosures and content of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to communications, and more particularly to communication methods and related devices and nodes supporting wireless communications. V2X communication and more specifically tele-operated driving from V2X application server as remote driver to one or more V2X UEs over long-range cellular unicast communication (Uu).

BACKGROUND

In tele-operated driving (ToD), a remote entity, either human or machine, may provide relevant information to the vehicle that is remotely driven. For instance, in some implementations a remote driving center provides trajectories to the vehicle in order to drive in an autonomous manner to the available/predefined parking spot. In other implementations, a remote driving center (human or machine) undertakes to drive the vehicle (i.e., sending steering/command instruction), supported by real time video streaming that is sent from the remotely driven vehicle and sensor information. A tele-operated driving session may involve the transmission from the vehicle to the driving center of sensor data (interpreted objects) and progressive high definition video. Up to four cameras may be needed (one for each corner of the vehicle) in case of human remote driver. The information that are sent from the remote center to the vehicle may be in the form of driving trajectories (e.g., in the form of waypoints with associated timestamps), and steering commands such as torque values for brake/acceleration and steering. Depending on the implementation, tele-operating driving might require latency down to 20 ms to ensure that commands and vehicle status are synched and data rate up to hundreds of Mbps (considering the transmission of video at HD quality from multiple qualities). Considering that when such requirements are not met, the tele-operated driving cannot happen (i.e., the vehicle may be stopped from being driven remotely) and the vehicle may have to switch to full autonomous driving or to switch to a human driver in the vehicle. It is then important to know when/where tele-operated driving can be supported.

SUMMARY

Embodiments include methods of operating a first device in a wireless communication network are provided. Operations corresponding to such methods include establishing a tele-operated driving session between the first device and a second device, updating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device, and terminating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device.

In some embodiments, the first device includes a V2X application enabler, VAE, client device and the second device includes a VAE server.

Some embodiments provide that the second device include a V2X application enabler, VAE, client device and the first device includes a VAE server.

In some embodiments, establishing the tele-operated driving session includes sending, by the first device and to the second device, a tele-operated driving request. In some embodiments, the tele-operated driving request includes tele-operated service information. Some embodiments provide that the tele-operated service information includes at least one of an identifier of a user equipment, UE, involved in the service, a UE specific feature including a UE type or an antenna configuration, geo-referenced information for tele-operated driving service, the geo-referenced information including a geographical area where the service is expected to be delivered and/or in expected/planned vehicle trajectory, a time interval during which the service is expected, and a measurement and/or information to be reported before or during the service.

In some embodiments, the tele-operated driving request includes tele-operated service requirements. Some embodiments provide that the tele-operated service requirements include at least one of Quality of Service, QoS, requirements including minimum required bitrate and/or maximum tolerated latency, update requirements including an indication of which parameters are in the updating procedure, thresholds for updates including when the tele-operated service expects an update, and a time interval for updates, e.g., indicating whether the tele-operated service includes a given requirement regarding a certain time in-advance that an update be provided.

In some embodiments, establishing the tele-operated driving session includes receiving, by the first device and from the second device, a tele-operated driving response indicating approval of the tele-operation by the first device.

Some embodiments provide that before establishing the tele-operated driving session, operations further include authenticating the first device for using a tele-operated driving service and connecting to the second device.

In some embodiments, before establishing the tele-operated service, operations further include triggering the first device to establish the tele-operated driving service with the second device.

In some embodiments, updating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device includes sending, by the first device to the second device, a tele-operated driving change request and receiving, from the second device to the first device, a tele-operated driving change response indicating acceptance of the tele-operated change request.

Some embodiments provide that the tele-operated change request includes changes in activated services, a change in network requirements, a change in QoS requirements, and/or server information.

In some embodiments, before updating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device, operations further include establishing the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device.

In some embodiments, terminating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device includes sending, by the first device to the second device, a tele-operated driving termination request and receiving, by the first device from the second device, a tele-operated driving termination response indicating the acceptance of the tele-operated driving termination request.

Some embodiments include sending, by the first device to the second device, tele-operated driving data and receiving, from the second device, tele-operated driving commands.

In some embodiments, operations further include triggering, by the first device, a service level request and authentication responsive to determining that a driver is not capable of operating the vehicle.

Some embodiments include initiating, by the first device, the tele-operated driving request and/or update and causing the tele-operated driving request to be sent to a remote driver service.

Operations may include initiating, by the first device, a remote driver session termination request and causing the tele-operated driving session termination request to be sent to the remote driver service.

In some embodiments, the second device includes a plurality of second devices, and the first device is configured to communicate with the plurality of second devices.

In some embodiments, the first device is configured to interface with a V2X application server (206) to receive service-specific messages and to send the service-specific messages to the second device. In some embodiments, the first device determines the routing of the service-specific messages.

Some embodiments include establishing a tele-operated driving session based on a V2X application server.

In some embodiments, establishing the tele-operated driving session based on a V2X application server includes receiving, from a V2X application server and by the first device or the second device, a request to establish a tele-operated driving session and determining, by the first device, a second device for the tele-operated driving session.

Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a first device configured to operate in a communication network. The first device includes processing circuitry and memory coupled with the processing circuitry. The memory includes instructions that when executed by the processing circuitry causes the wireless device to perform operations according to any embodiments described herein.

Some embodiments are directed to a first device configured to operate in a communication network and that is adapted to perform operations according to any embodiments described herein.

Some embodiments are directed to systems that include a first device that is configured to operate in a wireless communication network, a second device that is configured to receive a tele-operated driving request that is sent by the first device and a network node that is configured to provide communication between the first device and the second device.

Embodiments including methods of operating a network node in a wireless communication network are provided. The network node is configured to establish a tele-operated driving session between the first device and a second device, update the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device and terminate the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device.

In some embodiments, the first device includes a V2X application enabler, VAE, client device and the second device includes a VAE server.

Some embodiments provide that the second device includes a V2X application enabler, VAE, client device and the first device includes a VAE server.

In some embodiments, the network node is configured to establish the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device by sending, by the first device and to the second device, a tele-operated driving request. In some embodiments, the tele-operated driving request includes tele-operated service information.

Some embodiments provide that the tele-operated driving request includes tele-operated service information and the tele-operated service information includes at least one of an identifier of a user equipment, UE, involved in the service, a UE specific feature including a UE type or an antenna configuration, geo-referenced information for tele-operated driving service, the geo-referenced information comprising a geographical area where the service is expected to be delivered and/or in expected/planned vehicle trajectory, a time interval during which the service is expected and a measurement and/or information to be reported before or during the service.

In some embodiments, the tele-operated driving request includes tele-operated service requirements. Some embodiments provide that the tele-operated service requirements include at least one of Quality of Service, QoS, requirements including minimum required bitrate and/or maximum tolerated latency, update requirements including an indication of which parameters are in the updating procedure, thresholds for updates including when the tele-operated service expects an update and a time interval for updates, e.g., indicating whether the tele-operated service includes a given requirement regarding a certain time in-advance that an update be provided.

In some embodiments, the network node is further configured to establish the tele-operated driving session by receiving, by the first device and from the second device, a tele-operated driving response indicating approval of the tele-operation by the first device.

In some embodiments, before establishing the tele-operated driving session, the network node is further configured to authenticate the first device for using a tele-operated driving service and connect to the second device.

In some embodiments, before establishing the tele-operated service, the network node is further configured to trigger the first device to establish the tele-operated driving service with the second device.

In some embodiments, updating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device includes sending, by the first device to the second device, a tele-operated driving change request and receiving, from the second device to the first device, a tele-operated driving change response indicating acceptance of the tele-operated change request.

In some embodiments, the tele-operated change request includes changes in activated services, a change in network requirements, a change in QoS requirements, and/or server information.

Some embodiments provide that, before updating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device, the network node is further configured to establish the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device.

In some embodiments, the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device is terminated by the first device sending, to the second device, a tele-operated driving termination request and receiving, from the second device, a tele-operated driving termination response indicating the acceptance of the tele-operated driving termination request.

In some embodiments, the first device is further configured to send, to the second device, tele-operated driving data and to receive, from the second device, tele-operated driving commands.

In some embodiments, the network node is further configured to trigger, by the first device, a service level request and authentication responsive to determining that a driver is not capable of operating the vehicle.

Some embodiments provide that the first device is configured to initiate the tele-operated driving request and/or update and cause the tele-operated driving request to be sent to a remote driver service.

In some embodiments, the first device is further configured to initiate a remote driver session termination request and to cause the tele-operated driving session termination request to be sent to the remote driver service.

In some embodiments, the second device includes a plurality of second devices and the first device is configured to communicate with the plurality of second devices.

In some embodiments, the first device is configured to interface with a V2X application server to receive service-specific messages and to send the service-specific messages to the second device. Some embodiments provide that the first device determines the routing of the service-specific messages.

In some embodiments, the network node is further configured to establish a tele-operated driving session based on a V2X application server.

In some embodiments, the network node to establish the tele-operated driving session based on a V2X application server is further configured to receive, from a V2X application server and by the first device or the second device, a request to establish a tele-operated driving session and determine, by the first device, a second device for the tele-operated driving session.

In some embodiments, the network node includes a radio access network, RAN, node configured to operate in a communication network and that is adapted to perform operations according to any embodiments described herein.

Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a network node configured to operate in a communication network. The network node includes processing circuitry and memory coupled with the processing circuitry. The memory includes instructions that when executed by the processing circuitry causes the network node to perform operations according to any embodiments described herein.

Some embodiments are directed to a computer program including program code to be executed by processing circuitry of a network node configured to operate in a communication network, whereby execution of the program code causes the network node to perform operations disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate certain non-limiting embodiments of inventive concepts. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a V2X application layer model.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a procedure for establishing tele-operated driving session between the VAE server and the VAE client according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a procedure for establishing tele-operated driving session between the VAE server and the VAE client according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a procedure for terminating tele-operated driving session between the VAE server and the VAE client according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a procedure for exchanging tele-operated driving messages between the VAE server and the VAE client according to some embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a procedure for establishing tele-operated driving session from the V2X application-specific server to the VAE server according to some embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a procedure for establishing tele-operated driving session from the V2X application-specific server to the VAE server according to some embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal UE according to some embodiments of inventive concepts;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a radio access network RAN node (e.g., a base station eNB/gNB) according to some embodiments of inventive concepts;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a core network node (e.g., an AMF node, an SMF node, etc.) according to some embodiments of inventive concepts;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating operations according to some embodiments of inventive concepts;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating operations according to some embodiments of inventive concepts;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating operations according to some embodiments of inventive concepts;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating operations according to some embodiments of inventive concepts;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a wireless network in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a virtualization environment in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a host computer communicating via a base station with a user equipment over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments; and

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Inventive concepts will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which examples of embodiments of inventive concepts are shown. Inventive concepts may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of present inventive concepts to those skilled in the art. It should also be noted that these embodiments are not mutually exclusive. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present/used in another embodiment.

The following description presents various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. These embodiments are presented as teaching examples and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosed subject matter. For example, certain details of the described embodiments may be modified, omitted, or expanded upon without departing from the scope of the described subject matter.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a wireless device UE 300 (also referred to as a mobile terminal, a mobile communication terminal, a wireless communication device, a wireless terminal, a wireless communication terminal, user equipment, UE, a user equipment node/terminal/device, etc.) configured to provide wireless communication according to embodiments of inventive concepts. (Wireless device 300 may be provided, for example, as discussed below with respect to wireless device QQ110 of FIG. 15.) As shown, wireless device UE may include an antenna 307 (e.g., corresponding to antenna QQ111 of FIG. 15), and transceiver circuitry 301 (also referred to as a transceiver, e.g., corresponding to interface QQ114 of FIG. 15) including a transmitter and a receiver configured to provide uplink and downlink radio communications with a base station(s) (e.g., corresponding to network node QQ160 of FIG. 15) of a radio access network. Wireless device UE may also include processing circuitry 303 (also referred to as a processor, e.g., corresponding to processing circuitry QQ120 of FIG. 15) coupled to the transceiver circuitry, and memory circuitry 305 (also referred to as memory, e.g., corresponding to device readable medium QQ130 of FIG. 15) coupled to the processing circuitry. The memory circuitry 305 may include computer readable program code that when executed by the processing circuitry 303 causes the processing circuitry to perform operations according to embodiments disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, processing circuitry 303 may be defined to include memory so that separate memory circuitry is not required. Wireless device UE may also include an interface (such as a user interface) coupled with processing circuitry 303, and/or wireless device UE may be incorporated in a vehicle.

As discussed herein, operations of wireless device UE may be performed by processing circuitry 303 and/or transceiver circuitry 301. For example, processing circuitry 303 may control transceiver circuitry 301 to transmit communications through transceiver circuitry 301 over a radio interface to a radio access network node (also referred to as a base station) and/or to receive communications through transceiver circuitry 301 from a RAN node over a radio interface. Moreover, modules may be stored in memory circuitry 305, and these modules may provide instructions so that when instructions of a module are executed by processing circuitry 303, processing circuitry 303 performs respective operations (e.g., operations discussed below with respect to Example Embodiments relating to wireless devices).

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a radio access network RAN node 400 (also referred to as a network node, base station, eNodeB/eNB, gNodeB/gNB, etc.) of a Radio Access Network (RAN) configured to provide cellular communication according to embodiments of inventive concepts. (RAN node 400 may be provided, for example, as discussed below with respect to network node QQ160 of FIG. 15.) As shown, the RAN node may include transceiver circuitry 401 (also referred to as a transceiver, e.g., corresponding to portions of interface QQ190 of FIG. 15) including a transmitter and a receiver configured to provide uplink and downlink radio communications with mobile terminals. The RAN node may include network interface circuitry 407 (also referred to as a network interface, e.g., corresponding to portions of interface QQ190 of FIG. 15) configured to provide communications with other nodes (e.g., with other base stations) of the RAN and/or core network CN. The network node may also include a processing circuitry 403 (also referred to as a processor, e.g., corresponding to processing circuitry QQ170) coupled to the transceiver circuitry, and a memory circuitry 405 (also referred to as memory, e.g., corresponding to device readable medium QQ180 of FIG. 15) coupled to the processing circuitry. The memory circuitry 405 may include computer readable program code that when executed by the processing circuitry 403 causes the processing circuitry to perform operations according to embodiments disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, processing circuitry 403 may be defined to include memory so that a separate memory circuitry is not required.

As discussed herein, operations of the RAN node may be performed by processing circuitry 403, network interface 407, and/or transceiver 401. For example, processing circuitry 403 may control transceiver 401 to transmit downlink communications through transceiver 401 over a radio interface to one or more mobile terminals UEs and/or to receive uplink communications through transceiver 401 from one or more mobile terminals UEs over a radio interface. Similarly, processing circuitry 403 may control network interface 407 to transmit communications through network interface 407 to one or more other network nodes and/or to receive communications through network interface from one or more other network nodes. Moreover, modules may be stored in memory 405, and these modules may provide instructions so that when instructions of a module are executed by processing circuitry 403, processing circuitry 403 performs respective operations (e.g., operations discussed below with respect to Example Embodiments relating to RAN nodes).

According to some other embodiments, a network node may be implemented as a core network CN node without a transceiver. In such embodiments, transmission to a wireless device UE may be initiated by the network node so that transmission to the wireless device is provided through a network node including a transceiver (e.g., through a base station or RAN node). According to embodiments where the network node is a RAN node including a transceiver, initiating transmission may include transmitting through the transceiver.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a core network CN node (e.g., an SMF node, an AMF node, etc.) of a communication network configured to provide cellular communication according to embodiments of inventive concepts. As shown, the CN node may include network interface circuitry 507 (also referred to as a network interface) configured to provide communications with other nodes of the core network and/or the radio access network RAN. The CN node may also include a processing circuitry 503 (also referred to as a processor) coupled to the network interface circuitry, and memory circuitry 505 (also referred to as memory) coupled to the processing circuitry. The memory circuitry 505 may include computer readable program code that when executed by the processing circuitry 503 causes the processing circuitry to perform operations according to embodiments disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, processing circuitry 503 may be defined to include memory so that a separate memory circuitry is not required.

As discussed herein, operations of the CN node may be performed by processing circuitry 503 and/or network interface circuitry 507. For example, processing circuitry 503 may control network interface circuitry 507 to transmit communications through network interface circuitry 507 to one or more other network nodes and/or to receive communications through network interface circuitry from one or more other network nodes. Moreover, modules may be stored in memory 505, and these modules may provide instructions so that when instructions of a module are executed by processing circuitry 503, processing circuitry 503 performs respective operations (e.g., operations discussed below with respect to Example Embodiments relating to core network nodes).

Tele-operated support (TeSo) is defined in 3GPP TR 22.886 [5] (Clause 5.21) and the corresponding requirements are in clause 7.2.5 for remote driving. Normative requirements are in 3GPP SA1 TS 22.186 [6] (Clause 5.5).

3GPP TS 23.286 [1] defines V2X application layer model for V2X communications over PC5 and Uu. Reference is made to FIG. 1, which is a block diagram of a V2X application layer model as provided herein. The V2X application enabler (VAE) layer provide support information to the V2X application.

The V2X UE1 communicates with V2X application server over V1 reference point. The V2X UE1 and V2X UE2 communicate over V5 reference point. V2X UE1 can also act as a UE-to-network relay, to enable V2X UE2 to access the V2X application server over V1 reference point.

The V2X application layer functional entities for the V2X UE and the V2X application server are grouped into the V2X application specific layer and the VAE layer. The VAE layer offers the VAE capabilities to the V2X application specific layer. The V2X application layer functional model utilizes the SEAL services as specified in 3GPP TS 23.434 [2].

The VAE server is located in the VAE layer. The Service Enabler Architecture Layer for Verticals (SEAL) services utilized by VAE layer are location management, group management, configuration management, identity management, key management and network resource management. The V2X application specific layer consists of the V2X application specific functionalities.

The functionalities of the V2X application specific layer are out of scope of the present document. The V2X application server consists of the VAE server, the SEAL servers and the V2X application specific server. The VAE server provides the V2X application layer support functions to the V2X application specific server over Vs reference point. The V2X UEs consist of the VAE client, the SEAL clients and the V2X application specific client. The VAE client provides the V2X application layer support functions to the V2X application specific client over Vc reference point.

In some deployments, the client and server entities of SEAL can be part of VAE client and VAE server respectively. The VAE client acts as a VAL client for its interaction with the SEAL clients as specified in 3GPP TS 23.434 [2]. The VAE server acts as a VAL server for its interaction with the SEAL servers as specified in 3GPP TS 23.434 [2]. In the VAE layer, the VAE client communicates with the VAE server over V1-AE reference point. In the V2X application specific layer, the V2X application specific client communicates with V2X application specific server over V1-APP reference point.

The V1-APP reference point is out of scope of the present document. In the VAE layer, the VAE client of V2X UE2 communicates with VAE client of V2X UE1 over V5-AE reference point. In the V2X application specific layer, the V2X application specific client of V2X UE2 communicates with VAE client of V2X UE1 over V5-APP reference point.

The following SEAL services for V2X applications are supported: Location management as specified in 3GPP TS 23.434 [2]; Group management as specified in 3GPP TS 23.434 [2]; Configuration management as specified in 3GPP TS 23.434 [2]; Identity management as specified in 3GPP TS 23.434 [2]; Key management as specified in 3GPP TS 23.434 [2]; and Network resource management as specified in 3GPP TS 23.434 [2].

The VAE client interacts with SEAL clients over the SEAL-C reference point specified for each SEAL service. The VAE server interacts with SEAL servers over the SEAL-S reference point specified for each SEAL service. The interaction between the SEAL clients is supported by SEAL-PC5 reference point specified for each SEAL service. The interaction between a SEAL client and the corresponding SEAL server is supported by SEAL-UU reference point specified for each SEAL service.

The SEAL-C, SEAL-S, SEAL-PC5, SEAL-UU reference points for each SEAL service is specified in 3GPP TS 23.434 [2]. To support distributed VAE server deployments, the VAE server interacts with another VAE server over VAE-E reference point. V2X UE1 can also act as a UE-to-network relay to enable VAE client on V2X UE2 to access VAE server over V1-AE reference point and to enable V2X application specific client on V2X UE2 to access V2X application specific server over V1-APP reference point.

A V1-AE message can be sent over unicast, transparent multicast via xMB, transparent multicast via MB2. The non-transparent multicast via xMB is triggered by a V1-AE message. Multicast distribution can be supported by both transparent and non-transparent multicast modes. The VAE server interacts with the 3GPP network system over V2, MB2, xMB, Rx and T8 reference points. The EPS and 5GS [4] are considered as the 3GPP network system.

Problems with existing solutions include that the current procedures in [1] and [3] have addressed geo-based ITS/V2X message distribution. Tele-operated driving, which may rely on pre-established point-to-point or point-to-multipoint communication between a remote driver and the V2X UE have not been considered in [1]-[4]. In particular, the supporting functions at the V2X application server and V2X UE for enabling tele-operated driving have not been addressed.

This disclosure describes procedures for establishing and maintaining tele-operated driving sessions at the VAE layer. The VAE layer is an enabling layer at the V2X application server and V2X UE which provides supporting functionalities for tele-operated driving as described in this disclosure. The solution is end-to-end solution realized at the application layer.

The disclosure enables a V2X application server to provide supporting information and configuration for tele-operated driving. It enables V2X application server to establish tele-operated session with the V2X UEs and to control ongoing session based on service, server and network characteristics available at the VAE server.

The inventive concept according to several embodiments provide support for tele-operated driving. In some embodiments, the VAE layer provides support for tele-operated driving by establishing, updating and terminating tele-operated driving sessions. The V2X application server acts as a remote driver and the V2X UE acts as a controlled vehicle.

Establishing tele-operated driving session may include one or more preconditions that the V2X UE has been authenticated for using tele-operated driving service and has connected to the V2X application server and that the V2X application-specific server has triggered the VAE server to establish a tele-operated driving session with the V2X UE. Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a block diagram illustrating a procedure for establishing tele-operated driving session between the VAE server 204 and the VAE client 202 according to some embodiments. The VAE server 204 sends 170 a tele-operated driving request to one or more VAE clients 202 including tele-operated service information and requirements (e.g. reporting configuration).

Some examples of service information may include (i) identifiers of UE(s) involved in the service, potentially also considering information on UE-specific features (UE type, antenna configuration, etc.); (ii) geo-referenced information for tele-operated driving service (e.g., in the form of geographical area where the service is expected to be delivered or in the form of expected/planned vehicle trajectory); (iii) time interval during which the service is expected; (iv) measurement/information that should be reported from the VAE client before/during the service.

Examples of requirements might include (i) QoS requirements in the form of minimum required bitrate, maximum tolerated latency, etc.; (ii) requirements for updates, i.e., indicating which parameters among those indicated in the requirements should be object of updating procedure; (iii) thresholds for updates, i.e., the service expects an update in case there is a change of achievable minimum required bitrate plus/minus a certain threshold; and (iii) time intervals for updates, e.g., indicating in case of updates of a certain requirement that the notification of update should happen a certain time in-advance (to allow the service to adapt its behavior).

Some embodiments provide that the VAE client 202 sends 171 a tele-operated driving response to the VAE server 204 indicating approval of tele-operation by the VAE server 204.

Updating tele-operated driving session may include a pre-condition that the VAE server 204 has established a tele-operated driving session with the VAE client 202.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is a block diagram illustrating a procedure for establishing tele-operated driving session between the VAE server 204 and the VAE client 202 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the VAE server 204 sends 172 a tele-operated driving change request to one or more VAE clients 202 including updates to tele-operated service information (e.g. activated services), requirements (e.g. change of network/QoS requirements), or server information (e.g. change of VAE server). The VAE client 202 sends 173 a tele-operated driving change response to the VAE server 204 indicating acceptance of the tele-operation change request by the VAE server 204.

Terminating tele-operated driving session may include a precondition that the VAE server 204 has established a tele-operated driving session with the VAE client 202. Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a block diagram illustrating a procedure for terminating tele-operated driving session between the VAE server 204 and the VAE client 202 according to some embodiments. Some embodiments provide that the VAE server 204 sends 174 a tele-operated driving termination request to the VAE client 202 to terminate the tele-operated driving session (e.g. end of session with VAE server 204 or requirements for tele-operated driving not satisfied). In some embodiments, the VAE client 202 sends 175 a tele-operated driving termination response to the VAE server 204 indicating acceptance of the tele-operation termination request by the VAE server 202.

In this manner, a mechanism for a V2X application-specific server 206 to establish and maintain tele-operated driving session with the V2X UE may be provided.

While the above sections may focus on VAE functions, data plane messages in both directions (uplink and downlink) delivered by the VAE layer are described. For example, in the context of uplink and downlink communication, a pre-condition may include that the VAE server 204 has established a tele-operated driving session with the VAE client 202. Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a block diagram illustrating a procedure for exchanging tele-operated driving messages between the VAE server 204 and the VAE client 202 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the VAE client 202 sends 176 tele-operated driving data (e.g. sensor and vehicle data) to the VAE server 204. Some embodiments provide that the VAE server 204 sends 177 tele-operated driving commands (e.g. control commands) to the VAE client 202.

Some embodiments provide that optimizations include that the procedures can apply to generic use-cases. In some embodiments, tele-operated driving may serve as an example. Some embodiments provide the session establishment between VAE server 204 and VAE client 202 mean that the “service level” request and authentication have been performed. The service level authentication and request can be triggered by the V2X UE e.g. when the driver is no longer capable of operating the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the tele-operated driving request and update can be initiated by the vehicle and sent to the remote driver (ToD service provider). The vehicle can also request to terminate the ToD session, e.g. when the autonomous vehicle can handle the situation again without supports from the remote driver.

Regarding group management, embodiments herein provide point-point communication between the V2X application-specific server 206 and the V2X UE. The V2X application-specific server 206 can communicate with multiple V2X UEs, which are addressed either individually or as a group.

In some embodiments, the VAE server 204 interfaces with the V2X application-specific server 206 where it receives service-specific messages to be delivered to the V2X UE. It may be the responsibility of the VAE server 204 to determine the route of the message based on service and geographic information.

In some embodiments, V2X application-specific server 206 operations may provide that the trigger to establish a ToD session is performed by the V2X application-specific server 206. A precondition includes that the V2X UE has been authenticated for using tele-operated driving service and has connected to the V2X application server and that the VAE server 204 has connected to the V2X application-specific server 206.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a block diagram illustrating a procedure for establishing tele-operated driving session from the V2X application-specific server 206 to the VAE server 204 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the V2X application-specific server 206 sends 178 a request to the VAE server 204 to establish a tele-operated driving session. Some embodiments provide that the VAE server 204 determines the VAE client 202 for tele-operated driving (e.g. based on service and geographic area information) and the configuration.

In some embodiments, V2X application-specific client 208 operations may be performed when the trigger to establish a ToD session is performed by the V2X UE. Pre-conditions may include that the V2X UE has been authenticated for using tele-operated driving service and has connected to the V2X application-specific server 206 and that the VAE client 202 has connected to the V2X application-specific client 208. Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is a block diagram illustrating a procedure for establishing tele-operated driving session from the V2X application-specific client 208 to the VAE client 202 according to some embodiments. Some embodiments provide that the V2X application-specific client 208 sends 179 a request to the VAE client 202 to establish a tele-operated driving session. In some embodiments, the VAE client 202 determines the VAE server 204 for tele-operated driving (e.g. based on service and geographic area information) and the configuration.

Operations of the wireless device 300 (implemented using the structure of the block diagram of FIG. 8) will now be discussed according to some embodiments of inventive concepts. For example, modules may be stored in memory 305 of FIG. 8, and these modules may provide instructions so that when the instructions of a module are executed by respective wireless device processing circuitry 303, processing circuitry 303 performs respective operations of the flow chart.

Reference is now made to FIG. 11, which is a flow chart illustrating operations according to some embodiments of inventive concepts. Methods according to FIG. 11 correspond to operations of a first device in a wireless communication network. As used herein, some embodiments provide that the first device is a V2X application enabler, VAE, client device and the second device is a VAE server. In some other embodiments, the second device is a V2X application enabler, VAE, client device and the first device is a VAE server.

Operations include establishing a tele-operated driving session between the first device and a second device (block 1110). Brief reference is now made to FIG. 12, which is a flow chart illustrating operations for establishing a tele-operated driving session according to some embodiments. For example, operations may include sending a tele-operated driving session request by the first device and to the second device (block 1210). In some embodiments, the tele-operated driving request includes tele-operated service information.

Some embodiments provide that before establishing the tele-operated driving session, the first device is authenticated (1106) for tele-operated driving service. Some embodiments provide that, in response to authenticating the first device, operations include connecting (1108) to the second device.

Some embodiments provide that the tele-operated service information include one or more of an identifier of a user equipment, UE, involved in the service, a UE specific feature including a UE type or an antenna configuration, geo-referenced information for tele-operated driving service, the geo-referenced information including a geographical area where the service is expected to be delivered and/or in expected/planned vehicle trajectory, a time interval during which the service is expected, a measurement and/or information to be reported before or during the service.

In some embodiments, the tele-operated driving request includes tele-operated service requirements. Non-limiting examples of tele-operated service requirements may include one or more of Quality of Service, QoS, requirements that may include minimum required bitrate and/or maximum tolerated latency, among others, update requirements including an indication of which parameters are in the updating procedure, thresholds for updates that correspond to the tele-operated service expects an update and a time interval for updates, e.g., indicating whether the tele-operated service comprises a given requirement regarding a certain time in-advance that an update be provided.

In some embodiments, establishing the tele-operated driving session includes receiving, by the first device and from the second device, a tele-operated driving response indicating approval of the tele-operation by the first device (block 1220). Some embodiments provide that one or more preconditions may be suitable before the tele-operated driving session is established. For example, prior to establishing the tele-operated driving session, operations may include authenticating the first device for using a tele-operated driving service and connecting to the second device. Some embodiments may include triggering the first device to establish the tele-operated driving service with the second device.

Referring back to FIG. 11, operations include updating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device (block 1120). Brief reference is now made to FIG. 13, which is a flow chart illustrating operations for updating the tele-operated driving session according to some embodiments. For example, operations may include sending, by the first device to the second device, a tele-operated driving change request (block 1310) and receiving, from the second device to the first device, a tele-operated driving change response indicating acceptance of the tele-operated change request (block 1320).

In some embodiments, the tele-operated change request includes changes in activated services, a change in network requirements, a change in QoS requirements, and/or server information. Some embodiments provide that, before updating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device, operations may include establishing the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device.

Referring back to FIG. 11, operations include terminating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device (block 1130). Brief reference is now made to FIG. 14, which is a flow chart illustrating operations for terminating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, terminating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device includes sending, by the first device to the second device, a tele-operated driving termination request (block 1410). Operations include receiving, by the first device from the second device, a tele-operated driving termination response indicating the acceptance of the tele-operated driving termination request (block 1420). Some embodiments provide that embodiments further include sending, by the first device to the second device, tele-operated driving data and receiving, from the second device, tele-operated driving commands.

Some embodiments include triggering, by the first device, a service level request and authentication responsive to determining that a driver is not capable of operating the vehicle (block 1430).

Referring back to FIG. 11, operations include initiating, by the first device, the tele-operated driving request and/or update (block 1140) and causing the tele-operated driving request to be sent to a remote driver service (block 1150). Some embodiments provide that in response to initiating a remote driver session termination request, a tele-operated driving session termination request is caused to be sent to the remote driver service. In some embodiments, the second device includes multiple second devices. For example, multiple client devices may be configured to communicate with one server device.

Other embodiments provide that the first device is configured to interface with a V2X application server to receive service-specific messages and to send the service-specific messages to the second device. In some embodiments, the first device determines the routing of the service-specific messages. Some embodiments include establishing a tele-operated driving session based on a V2X application server. In some embodiments, establishing the tele-operated driving session based on a V2X application server includes receiving, from a V2X application server and by the first device or the second device, a request to establish a tele-operated driving session and determining, by the first device, a second device for the tele-operated driving session.

EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment 1. A method of operating a first device in a wireless communication network, the method comprising:

-   -   establishing a tele-operated driving session between the first         device and a second device;     -   updating the tele-operated driving session between the first         device and the second device; and     -   terminating the tele-operated driving session between the first         device and the second device.

Embodiment 2. The method of Embodiment 1, wherein the first device comprises a V2X application enabler, VAE, client device and the second device comprises a VAE server.

Embodiment 3. The method of Embodiments 1, wherein the second device comprises a V2X application enabler, VAE, client device and the first device comprises a VAE server.

Embodiment 4. The method of any of Embodiments 1-3, wherein establishing the tele-operated driving session comprises sending, by the first device and to the second device, a tele-operated driving request.

Embodiment 5. The method of Embodiment 4, wherein the tele-operated driving request comprises tele-operated service information.

Embodiment 6. The method of Embodiment 5, wherein the tele-operated service information comprises at least one of:

-   -   an identifier of a user equipment, UE, involved in the service;     -   a UE specific feature including a UE type or an antenna         configuration;     -   geo-referenced information for tele-operated driving service,         the geo-referenced information comprising a geographical area         where the service is expected to be delivered and/or in         expected/planned vehicle trajectory;     -   a time interval during which the service is expected;     -   a measurement and/or information to be reported before or during         the service.

Embodiment 7. The method of Embodiment 4, wherein the tele-operated driving request comprises tele-operated service requirements.

Embodiment 8. The method of Embodiment 7, wherein the tele-operated service requirements comprise at least one of:

-   -   Quality of Service, QoS, requirements comprising minimum         required bitrate and/or maximum tolerated latency;     -   update requirements comprising an indication of which parameters         are in the updating procedure;     -   thresholds for updates comprising when the tele-operated service         expects an update; and     -   a time interval for updates, e.g., indicating whether the         tele-operated service comprises a given requirement regarding a         certain time in-advance that an update be provided.

Embodiment 9. The method of any of Embodiments 1-8, wherein establishing the tele-operated driving session comprises receiving, by the first device and from the second device, a tele-operated driving response indicating approval of the tele-operation by the first device.

Embodiment 10. The method of any of Embodiments 1-9, wherein, before establishing the tele-operated driving session, the method further comprises:

-   -   authenticating the first device for using a tele-operated         driving service; and     -   connecting to the second device.

Embodiment 11. The method of any of Embodiments 1-10, wherein before establishing the tele-operated service, the method further comprises triggering the first device to establish the tele-operated driving service with the second device.

Embodiment 12. The method of any of Embodiments 1-11, wherein updating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device comprises:

-   -   sending, by the first device to the second device, a         tele-operated driving change request; and     -   receiving, from the second device to the first device, a         tele-operated driving change response indicating acceptance of         the tele-operated change request.

Embodiment 13. The method of Embodiment 12, wherein the tele-operated change request comprises changes in activated services, a change in network requirements, a change in QoS requirements, and/or server information.

Embodiment 14. The method of any of Embodiments 1-14, wherein before updating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device, the method further comprises establishing the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device.

Embodiment 15. The method of any of Embodiments 1-14, wherein terminating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device comprises:

-   -   sending, by the first device to the second device, a         tele-operated driving termination request; and     -   receiving, by the first device from the second device, a         tele-operated driving termination response indicating the         acceptance of the tele-operated driving termination request.

Embodiment 16. The method of any of Embodiments 1-15, further comprising: sending, by the first device to the second device, tele-operated driving data; and receiving, from the second device, tele-operated driving commands.

Embodiment 17. The method of any of Embodiments 1-16, further comprising triggering, by the first device, a service level request and authentication responsive to determining that a driver is not capable of operating the vehicle.

Embodiment 18. The method of any of Embodiments 1-17, further comprising:

-   -   initiating, by the first device, the tele-operated driving         request and/or update; and     -   causing the tele-operated driving request to be sent to a remote         driver service.

Embodiment 19. The method of Embodiment 18, the method further comprising, initiating, by the first device, a remote driver session termination request; and causing the tele-operated driving session termination request to be sent to the remote driver service.

Embodiment 20. The method of any of Embodiments 1-19, wherein the second device comprises a plurality of second devices, and wherein the first device is configured to communicate with the plurality of second devices.

Embodiment 21. The method of any of Embodiments 1-20, wherein the first device is configured to interface with a V2X application server to receive service-specific messages and to send the service-specific messages to the second device.

Embodiment 22. The method of Embodiment 21, wherein the first device determines the routing of the service-specific messages.

Embodiment 23. The method of any of Embodiments 1-22, further comprising establishing a tele-operated driving session based on a V2X application server.

Embodiment 24. The method of any of Embodiments 1-23, wherein establishing the tele-operated driving session based on a V2X application server comprises:

-   -   receiving, from a V2X application server and by the first device         or the second device, a request to establish a tele-operated         driving session; and     -   determining, by the first device, a second device for the         tele-operated driving session.

Embodiment 25. A wireless device (300) configured to operate in a communication network, the wireless device comprising:

-   -   processing circuitry (303); and     -   memory (305) coupled with the processing circuitry, wherein the         memory includes instructions that when executed by the         processing circuitry causes the wireless device to perform         operations according to any of Embodiments 1-24.

Embodiment 26. A wireless device (300) configured to operate in a communication network, wherein the CN node is adapted to perform according to any of Embodiments 1-24.

Embodiment 27. A computer program comprising program code to be executed by processing circuitry (303) of a wireless device (300) configured to operate in a communication network, whereby execution of the program code causes the wireless device (300) to perform operations according to any of embodiments 1-24.

Embodiment 28. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory storage medium including program code to be executed by processing circuitry (303) of a wireless device (300) configured to operate in a communication network, whereby execution of the program code causes the wireless device (300) to perform operations according to any of embodiments 1-24.

Embodiment 29. A method of operating a radio access network node, RAN, in a communication network, the method comprising:

-   -   establishing a tele-operated driving session between the first         device and a second device;     -   updating the tele-operated driving session between the first         device and the second device; and     -   terminating the tele-operated driving session between the first         device and the second device.

Embodiment 30. The method of Embodiment 29, wherein the first device comprises a V2X application enabler, VAE, client device and the second device comprises a VAE server.

Embodiment 31. The method of Embodiments 29, wherein the second device comprises a V2X application enabler, VAE, client device and the first device comprises a VAE server.

Embodiment 32. The method of any of Embodiments 29-31, wherein establishing the tele-operated driving session comprises sending, by the first device and to the second device, a tele-operated driving request.

Embodiment 33. The method of Embodiment 32, wherein the tele-operated driving request comprises tele-operated service information.

Embodiment 34. The method of Embodiment 33, wherein the tele-operated service information comprises at least one of:

-   -   an identifier of a user equipment, UE, involved in the service;     -   a UE specific feature including a UE type or an antenna         configuration;     -   geo-referenced information for tele-operated driving service,         the geo-referenced information comprising a geographical area         where the service is expected to be delivered and/or in         expected/planned vehicle trajectory;     -   a time interval during which the service is expected;     -   a measurement and/or information to be reported before or during         the service.

Embodiment 35. The method of Embodiment 32, wherein the tele-operated driving request comprises tele-operated service requirements.

Embodiment 36. The method of Embodiment 35, wherein the tele-operated service requirements comprise at least one of:

Quality of Service, QoS, requirements comprising minimum required bitrate and/or maximum tolerated latency;

-   -   update requirements comprising an indication of which parameters         are in the updating procedure;     -   thresholds for updates comprising when the tele-operated service         expects an update; and     -   a time interval for updates, e.g., indicating whether the         tele-operated service comprises a given requirement regarding a         certain time in-advance that an update be provided.

Embodiment 37. The method of any of Embodiments 29-36, wherein establishing the tele-operated driving session comprises sending, by the second device and to the first device, a tele-operated driving response indicating approval of the tele-operation by the first device.

Embodiment 38. The method of any of Embodiments 29-27, wherein, before establishing the tele-operated driving session, the method further comprises:

-   -   authenticating the first device for using a tele-operated         driving service; and     -   connecting to the second device.

Embodiment 39. The method of any of Embodiments 29-38, wherein before establishing the tele-operated service, the method further comprises triggering the first device to establish the tele-operated driving service with the second device.

Embodiment 40. The method of any of Embodiments 29-39, wherein updating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device comprises:

-   -   sending, by the first device to the second device, a         tele-operated driving change request; and     -   receiving, from the second device to the first device, a         tele-operated driving change response indicating acceptance of         the tele-operated change request.

Embodiment 41. The method of Embodiment 40, wherein the tele-operated change request comprises changes in activated services, a change in network requirements, a change in QoS requirements, and/or server information.

Embodiment 42. The method of any of Embodiments 29-41, wherein before updating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device, the method further comprises establishing the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device.

Embodiment 43. The method of any of Embodiments 29-42, wherein terminating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device comprises:

-   -   sending, by the first device to the second device, a         tele-operated driving termination request; and     -   receiving, by the first device from the second device, a         tele-operated driving termination response indicating the         acceptance of the tele-operated driving termination request.

Embodiment 44. The method of any of Embodiments 29-43, further comprising: sending, by the first device to the second device, tele-operated driving data; and receiving, from the second device, tele-operated driving commands.

Embodiment 45. The method of any of Embodiments 29-44, further comprising triggering, by the first device, a service level request and authentication responsive to determining that a driver is not capable of operating the vehicle.

Embodiment 46. The method of any of Embodiments 29-45, further comprising:

-   -   initiating, by the first device, the tele-operated driving         request and/or update; and     -   causing the tele-operated driving request to be sent to a remote         driver service.

Embodiment 47. The method of Embodiment 46, the method further comprising, initiating, by the first device, a remote driver session termination request; and

-   -   causing the tele-operated driving session termination request to         be sent to the remote driver service.

Embodiment 48. The method of any of Embodiments 29-47, wherein the second device comprises a plurality of second devices, and

-   -   wherein the first device is configured to communicate with the         plurality of second devices.

Embodiment 49. The method of any of Embodiments 29-48, wherein the first device is configured to interface with a V2X application server to receive service-specific messages and to send the service-specific messages to the second device.

Embodiment 50. The method of Embodiment 49, wherein the first device determines the routing of the service-specific messages.

Embodiment 51. The method of any of Embodiments 29-50, further comprising establishing a tele-operated driving session based on a V2X application server.

Embodiment 52. The method of any of Embodiments 29-51, wherein establishing the tele-operated driving session based on a V2X application server comprises:

receiving, from a V2X application server and by the first device or the second device, a request to establish a tele-operated driving session; and

determining, by the first device, a second device for the tele-operated driving session.

Embodiment 53. A radio access network, RAN, node (400) configured to operate in a communication network, the RAN node comprising:

-   -   processing circuitry (403); and     -   memory (405) coupled with the processing circuitry, wherein the         memory includes instructions that when executed by the         processing circuitry causes the RAN node to perform operations         according to any of Embodiments 29-52.

Embodiment 54. A first radio access network, RAN, node (400) configured to operate in a communication network, wherein the RAN node is adapted to perform according to any of Embodiments 29-52.

Embodiment 55. A computer program comprising program code to be executed by processing circuitry (403) of a radio access network, RAN, node (400) configured to operate in a communication network, whereby execution of the program code causes the RAN node (400) to perform operations according to any of embodiments 29-52.

Embodiment 56. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory storage medium including program code to be executed by processing circuitry (403) of a radio access network, RAN, node (400) configured to operate in a communication network, whereby execution of the program code causes the RAN node (400) to perform operations according to any of embodiments 29-52.

References are:

3GPP TS 23.286, Application layer support for V2X services; Functional architecture and information flows, V16.0.0, 06-2019.

3GPP TS 23.434, Service Enabler Architecture Layer for Verticals; Functional architecture and information flows, V16.0.0, 06-2019.

3GPP TR 23.795, Study on application layer support for V2X services, V16.0.0, September 2018.

3GPP TR 23.764, Study on enhancements to application layer support for V2X services, V0.1.0, July 2019.

3GPP TR 22.886, Study on enhancement of 3GPP support for 5G V2X services, V16.2.0, December 2018.

3GPP TS 22.186, Service requirements for enhanced V2X scenarios, V16.2.0, June 2019.

Additional explanation is provided below.

Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and/or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and/or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments, however, are contained within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 15 illustrates a wireless network in accordance with some embodiments.

Although the subject matter described herein may be implemented in any appropriate type of system using any suitable components, the embodiments disclosed herein are described in relation to a wireless network, such as the example wireless network illustrated in FIG. 15. For simplicity, the wireless network of FIG. 15 only depicts network QQ106, network nodes QQ160 and QQ160 b, and WDs QQ110, QQ110 b, and QQ110 c (also referred to as mobile terminals). In practice, a wireless network may further include any additional elements suitable to support communication between wireless devices or between a wireless device and another communication device, such as a landline telephone, a service provider, or any other network node or end device. Of the illustrated components, network node QQ160 and wireless device (WD) QQ110 are depicted with additional detail. The wireless network may provide communication and other types of services to one or more wireless devices to facilitate the wireless devices' access to and/or use of the services provided by, or via, the wireless network.

The wireless network may comprise and/or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, and/or radio network or other similar type of system. In some embodiments, the wireless network may be configured to operate according to specific standards or other types of predefined rules or procedures. Thus, particular embodiments of the wireless network may implement communication standards, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and/or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G standards; wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the IEEE 802.11 standards; and/or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z-Wave and/or ZigBee standards.

Network QQ106 may comprise one or more backhaul networks, core networks, IP networks, public switched telephone networks (PSTNs), packet data networks, optical networks, wide-area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), wireless local area networks (WLANs), wired networks, wireless networks, metropolitan area networks, and other networks to enable communication between devices.

Network node QQ160 and WD QQ110 comprise various components described in more detail below. These components work together in order to provide network node and/or wireless device functionality, such as providing wireless connections in a wireless network. In different embodiments, the wireless network may comprise any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, base stations, controllers, wireless devices, relay stations, and/or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and/or signals whether via wired or wireless connections.

As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and/or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a wireless device and/or with other network nodes or equipment in the wireless network to enable and/or provide wireless access to the wireless device and/or to perform other functions (e.g., administration) in the wireless network. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)). Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and may then also be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units and/or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS). Yet further examples of network nodes include multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell/multicast coordination entities (MCEs), core network nodes (e.g., MSCs, MMEs), O&M nodes, OSS nodes, SON nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., E-SMLCs), and/or MDTs. As another example, a network node may be a virtual network node as described in more detail below. More generally, however, network nodes may represent any suitable device (or group of devices) capable, configured, arranged, and/or operable to enable and/or provide a wireless device with access to the wireless network or to provide some service to a wireless device that has accessed the wireless network.

In FIG. 15, network node QQ160 includes processing circuitry QQ170, device readable medium QQ180, interface QQ190, auxiliary equipment QQ184, power source QQ186, power circuitry QQ187, and antenna QQ162. Although network node QQ160 illustrated in the example wireless network of FIG. 151 may represent a device that includes the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise network nodes with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that a network node comprises any suitable combination of hardware and/or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Moreover, while the components of network node QQ160 are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, a network node may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component (e.g., device readable medium QQ180 may comprise multiple separate hard drives as well as multiple RAM modules).

Similarly, network node QQ160 may be composed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., a NodeB component and a RNC component, or a BTS component and a BSC component, etc.), which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios in which network node QQ160 comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeB's. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, network node QQ160 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate device readable medium QQ180 for the different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., the same antenna QQ162 may be shared by the RATs). Network node QQ160 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node QQ160, such as, for example, GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node QQ160.

Processing circuitry QQ170 is configured to perform any determining, calculating, or similar operations (e.g., certain obtaining operations) described herein as being provided by a network node. These operations performed by processing circuitry QQ170 may include processing information obtained by processing circuitry QQ170 by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and/or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination.

Processing circuitry QQ170 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and/or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node QQ160 components, such as device readable medium QQ180, network node QQ160 functionality. For example, processing circuitry QQ170 may execute instructions stored in device readable medium QQ180 or in memory within processing circuitry QQ170. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features, functions, or benefits discussed herein. In some embodiments, processing circuitry QQ170 may include a system on a chip (SOC).

In some embodiments, processing circuitry QQ170 may include one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry QQ172 and baseband processing circuitry QQ174. In some embodiments, radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry QQ172 and baseband processing circuitry QQ174 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry QQ172 and baseband processing circuitry QQ174 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units.

In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein as being provided by a network node, base station, eNB or other such network device may be performed by processing circuitry QQ170 executing instructions stored on device readable medium QQ180 or memory within processing circuitry QQ170. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by processing circuitry QQ170 without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device readable medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a device readable storage medium or not, processing circuitry QQ170 can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to processing circuitry QQ170 alone or to other components of network node QQ160, but are enjoyed by network node QQ160 as a whole, and/or by end users and the wireless network generally.

Device readable medium QQ180 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device readable and/or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and/or instructions that may be used by processing circuitry QQ170. Device readable medium QQ180 may store any suitable instructions, data or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, etc. and/or other instructions capable of being executed by processing circuitry QQ170 and, utilized by network node QQ160. Device readable medium QQ180 may be used to store any calculations made by processing circuitry QQ170 and/or any data received via interface QQ190. In some embodiments, processing circuitry QQ170 and device readable medium QQ180 may be considered to be integrated.

Interface QQ190 is used in the wired or wireless communication of signalling and/or data between network node QQ160, network QQ106, and/or WDs QQ110. As illustrated, interface QQ190 comprises port(s)/terminal(s) QQ194 to send and receive data, for example to and from network QQ106 over a wired connection. Interface QQ190 also includes radio front end circuitry QQ192 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, antenna QQ162. Radio front end circuitry QQ192 comprises filters QQ198 and amplifiers QQ196. Radio front end circuitry QQ192 may be connected to antenna QQ162 and processing circuitry QQ170. Radio front end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna QQ162 and processing circuitry QQ170. Radio front end circuitry QQ192 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. Radio front end circuitry QQ192 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters QQ198 and/or amplifiers QQ196. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna QQ162. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna QQ162 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by radio front end circuitry QQ192. The digital data may be passed to processing circuitry QQ170. In other embodiments, the interface may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components.

In certain alternative embodiments, network node QQ160 may not include separate radio front end circuitry QQ192, instead, processing circuitry QQ170 may comprise radio front end circuitry and may be connected to antenna QQ162 without separate radio front end circuitry QQ192. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of RF transceiver circuitry QQ172 may be considered a part of interface QQ190. In still other embodiments, interface QQ190 may include one or more ports or terminals QQ194, radio front end circuitry QQ192, and RF transceiver circuitry QQ172, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and interface QQ190 may communicate with baseband processing circuitry QQ174, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

Antenna QQ162 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and/or receive wireless signals. Antenna QQ162 may be coupled to radio front end circuitry QQ190 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and/or signals wirelessly. In some embodiments, antenna QQ162 may comprise one or more omni-directional, sector or panel antennas operable to transmit/receive radio signals between, for example, 2 GHz and 66 GHz. An omni-directional antenna may be used to transmit/receive radio signals in any direction, a sector antenna may be used to transmit/receive radio signals from devices within a particular area, and a panel antenna may be a line of sight antenna used to transmit/receive radio signals in a relatively straight line. In some instances, the use of more than one antenna may be referred to as MIMO. In certain embodiments, antenna QQ162 may be separate from network node QQ160 and may be connectable to network node QQ160 through an interface or port.

Antenna QQ162, interface QQ190, and/or processing circuitry QQ170 may be configured to perform any receiving operations and/or certain obtaining operations described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data and/or signals may be received from a wireless device, another network node and/or any other network equipment. Similarly, antenna QQ162, interface QQ190, and/or processing circuitry QQ170 may be configured to perform any transmitting operations described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data and/or signals may be transmitted to a wireless device, another network node and/or any other network equipment.

Power circuitry QQ187 may comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry and is configured to supply the components of network node QQ160 with power for performing the functionality described herein. Power circuitry QQ187 may receive power from power source QQ186. Power source QQ186 and/or power circuitry QQ187 may be configured to provide power to the various components of network node QQ160 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). Power source QQ186 may either be included in, or external to, power circuitry QQ187 and/or network node QQ160. For example, network node QQ160 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry QQ187. As a further example, power source QQ186 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry QQ187. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail. Other types of power sources, such as photovoltaic devices, may also be used.

Alternative embodiments of network node QQ160 may include additional components beyond those shown in FIG. 15 that may be responsible for providing certain aspects of the network node's functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and/or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, network node QQ160 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into network node QQ160 and to allow output of information from network node QQ160. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for network node QQ160.

As used herein, wireless device (WD) refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and/or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and/or other wireless devices. Unless otherwise noted, the term WD may be used interchangeably herein with user equipment (UE). Communicating wirelessly may involve transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and/or other types of signals suitable for conveying information through air. In some embodiments, a WD may be configured to transmit and/or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a WD may be designed to transmit information to a network on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the network. Examples of a WD include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a cell phone, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone, a wireless local loop phone, a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless cameras, a gaming console or device, a music storage device, a playback appliance, a wearable terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, a tablet, a laptop, a laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), a laptop-mounted equipment (LME), a smart device, a wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE). a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, etc. A WD may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) and may in this case be referred to as a D2D communication device. As yet another specific example, in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario, a WD may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and/or measurements, and transmits the results of such monitoring and/or measurements to another WD and/or a network node. The WD may in this case be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, the WD may be a UE implementing the 3GPP narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) standard. Particular examples of such machines or devices are sensors, metering devices such as power meters, industrial machinery, or home or personal appliances (e.g. refrigerators, televisions, etc.) personal wearables (e.g., watches, fitness trackers, etc.). In other scenarios, a WD may represent a vehicle or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and/or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation. A WD as described above may represent the endpoint of a wireless connection, in which case the device may be referred to as a wireless terminal. Furthermore, a WD as described above may be mobile, in which case it may also be referred to as a mobile device or a mobile terminal.

As illustrated, wireless device QQ110 includes antenna QQ111, interface QQ114, processing circuitry QQ120, device readable medium QQ130, user interface equipment QQ132, auxiliary equipment QQ134, power source QQ136 and power circuitry QQ137. WD QQ110 may include multiple sets of one or more of the illustrated components for different wireless technologies supported by WD QQ110, such as, for example, GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, WiMAX, or Bluetooth wireless technologies, just to mention a few. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chips or set of chips as other components within WD QQ110.

Antenna QQ111 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays, configured to send and/or receive wireless signals, and is connected to interface QQ114. In certain alternative embodiments, antenna QQ111 may be separate from WD QQ110 and be connectable to WD QQ110 through an interface or port. Antenna QQ111, interface QQ114, and/or processing circuitry QQ120 may be configured to perform any receiving or transmitting operations described herein as being performed by a WD. Any information, data and/or signals may be received from a network node and/or another WD. In some embodiments, radio front end circuitry and/or antenna QQ111 may be considered an interface.

As illustrated, interface QQ114 comprises radio front end circuitry QQ112 and antenna QQ111. Radio front end circuitry QQ112 comprise one or more filters QQ118 and amplifiers QQ116. Radio front end circuitry QQ114 is connected to antenna QQ111 and processing circuitry QQ120, and is configured to condition signals communicated between antenna QQ111 and processing circuitry QQ120. Radio front end circuitry QQ112 may be coupled to or a part of antenna QQ111. In some embodiments, WD QQ110 may not include separate radio front end circuitry QQ112; rather, processing circuitry QQ120 may comprise radio front end circuitry and may be connected to antenna QQ111. Similarly, in some embodiments, some or all of RF transceiver circuitry QQ122 may be considered a part of interface QQ114. Radio front end circuitry QQ112 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. Radio front end circuitry QQ112 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters QQ118 and/or amplifiers QQ116. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna QQ111. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna QQ111 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by radio front end circuitry QQ112. The digital data may be passed to processing circuitry QQ120. In other embodiments, the interface may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components.

Processing circuitry QQ120 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software, and/or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other WD QQ110 components, such as device readable medium QQ130, WD QQ110 functionality. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features or benefits discussed herein. For example, processing circuitry QQ120 may execute instructions stored in device readable medium QQ130 or in memory within processing circuitry QQ120 to provide the functionality disclosed herein.

As illustrated, processing circuitry QQ120 includes one or more of RF transceiver circuitry QQ122, baseband processing circuitry QQ124, and application processing circuitry QQ126. In other embodiments, the processing circuitry may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components. In certain embodiments processing circuitry QQ120 of WD QQ110 may comprise a SOC. In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuitry QQ122, baseband processing circuitry QQ124, and application processing circuitry QQ126 may be on separate chips or sets of chips. In alternative embodiments, part or all of baseband processing circuitry QQ124 and application processing circuitry QQ126 may be combined into one chip or set of chips, and RF transceiver circuitry QQ122 may be on a separate chip or set of chips. In still alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry QQ122 and baseband processing circuitry QQ124 may be on the same chip or set of chips, and application processing circuitry QQ126 may be on a separate chip or set of chips. In yet other alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry QQ122, baseband processing circuitry QQ124, and application processing circuitry QQ126 may be combined in the same chip or set of chips. In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuitry QQ122 may be a part of interface QQ114. RF transceiver circuitry QQ122 may condition RF signals for processing circuitry QQ120.

In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein as being performed by a WD may be provided by processing circuitry QQ120 executing instructions stored on device readable medium QQ130, which in certain embodiments may be a computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by processing circuitry QQ120 without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a device readable storage medium or not, processing circuitry QQ120 can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to processing circuitry QQ120 alone or to other components of WD QQ110, but are enjoyed by WD QQ110 as a whole, and/or by end users and the wireless network generally.

Processing circuitry QQ120 may be configured to perform any determining, calculating, or similar operations (e.g., certain obtaining operations) described herein as being performed by a WD. These operations, as performed by processing circuitry QQ120, may include processing information obtained by processing circuitry QQ120 by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored by WD QQ110, and/or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination.

Device readable medium QQ130 may be operable to store a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, etc. and/or other instructions capable of being executed by processing circuitry QQ120. Device readable medium QQ130 may include computer memory (e.g., Random Access Memory (RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), mass storage media (e.g., a hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device readable and/or computer executable memory devices that store information, data, and/or instructions that may be used by processing circuitry QQ120. In some embodiments, processing circuitry QQ120 and device readable medium QQ130 may be considered to be integrated.

User interface equipment QQ132 may provide components that allow for a human user to interact with WD QQ110. Such interaction may be of many forms, such as visual, audial, tactile, etc. User interface equipment QQ132 may be operable to produce output to the user and to allow the user to provide input to WD QQ110. The type of interaction may vary depending on the type of user interface equipment QQ132 installed in WD QQ110. For example, if WD QQ110 is a smart phone, the interaction may be via a touch screen; if WD QQ110 is a smart meter, the interaction may be through a screen that provides usage (e.g., the number of gallons used) or a speaker that provides an audible alert (e.g., if smoke is detected). User interface equipment QQ132 may include input interfaces, devices and circuits, and output interfaces, devices and circuits. User interface equipment QQ132 is configured to allow input of information into WD QQ110, and is connected to processing circuitry QQ120 to allow processing circuitry QQ120 to process the input information. User interface equipment QQ132 may include, for example, a microphone, a proximity or other sensor, keys/buttons, a touch display, one or more cameras, a USB port, or other input circuitry. User interface equipment QQ132 is also configured to allow output of information from WD QQ110, and to allow processing circuitry QQ120 to output information from WD QQ110. User interface equipment QQ132 may include, for example, a speaker, a display, vibrating circuitry, a USB port, a headphone interface, or other output circuitry. Using one or more input and output interfaces, devices, and circuits, of user interface equipment QQ132, WD QQ110 may communicate with end users and/or the wireless network, and allow them to benefit from the functionality described herein.

Auxiliary equipment QQ134 is operable to provide more specific functionality which may not be generally performed by WDs. This may comprise specialized sensors for doing measurements for various purposes, interfaces for additional types of communication such as wired communications etc. The inclusion and type of components of auxiliary equipment QQ134 may vary depending on the embodiment and/or scenario.

Power source QQ136 may, in some embodiments, be in the form of a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic devices or power cells, may also be used. WD QQ110 may further comprise power circuitry QQ137 for delivering power from power source QQ136 to the various parts of WD QQ110 which need power from power source QQ136 to carry out any functionality described or indicated herein. Power circuitry QQ137 may in certain embodiments comprise power management circuitry. Power circuitry QQ137 may additionally or alternatively be operable to receive power from an external power source; in which case WD QQ110 may be connectable to the external power source (such as an electricity outlet) via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Power circuitry QQ137 may also in certain embodiments be operable to deliver power from an external power source to power source QQ136. This may be, for example, for the charging of power source QQ136. Power circuitry QQ137 may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to the power from power source QQ136 to make the power suitable for the respective components of WD QQ110 to which power is supplied.

FIG. 16 illustrates a user Equipment in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 16 illustrates one embodiment of a UE in accordance with various aspects described herein. As used herein, a user equipment or UE may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and/or operates the relevant device. Instead, a UE may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, a UE may represent a device that is not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter). UE QQ2200 may be any UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a NB-IoT UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and/or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE. UE QQ200, as illustrated in FIG. 16, is one example of a WD configured for communication in accordance with one or more communication standards promulgated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 3GPP's GSM, UMTS, LTE, and/or 5G standards. As mentioned previously, the term WD and UE may be used interchangeable. Accordingly, although FIG. 16 is a UE, the components discussed herein are equally applicable to a WD, and vice-versa.

In FIG. 16, UE QQ200 includes processing circuitry QQ201 that is operatively coupled to input/output interface QQ205, radio frequency (RF) interface QQ209, network connection interface QQ211, memory QQ215 including random access memory (RAM) QQ217, read-only memory (ROM) QQ219, and storage medium QQ221 or the like, communication subsystem QQ231, power source QQ233, and/or any other component, or any combination thereof. Storage medium QQ221 includes operating system QQ223, application program QQ225, and data QQ227. In other embodiments, storage medium QQ221 may include other similar types of information. Certain UEs may utilize all of the components shown in FIG. 16, or only a subset of the components. The level of integration between the components may vary from one UE to another UE. Further, certain UEs may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

In FIG. 16, processing circuitry QQ201 may be configured to process computer instructions and data. Processing circuitry QQ201 may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operative to execute machine instructions stored as machine-readable computer programs in the memory, such as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, FPGA, ASIC, etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored program, general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or Digital Signal Processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuitry QQ201 may include two central processing units (CPUs). Data may be information in a form suitable for use by a computer.

In the depicted embodiment, input/output interface QQ205 may be configured to provide a communication interface to an input device, output device, or input and output device. UE QQ200 may be configured to use an output device via input/output interface QQ205. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a USB port may be used to provide input to and output from UE QQ200. The output device may be a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. UE QQ200 may be configured to use an input device via input/output interface QQ205 to allow a user to capture information into UE QQ200. The input device may include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, another like sensor, or any combination thereof. For example, the input device may be an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a digital camera, a microphone, and an optical sensor.

In FIG. 16, RF interface QQ209 may be configured to provide a communication interface to RF components such as a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna. Network connection interface QQ211 may be configured to provide a communication interface to network QQ243 a. Network QQ243 a may encompass wired and/or wireless networks such as a local-area network (LAN), a wide-area network (WAN), a computer network, a wireless network, a telecommunications network, another like network or any combination thereof. For example, network QQ243 a may comprise a Wi-Fi network. Network connection interface QQ211 may be configured to include a receiver and a transmitter interface used to communicate with one or more other devices over a communication network according to one or more communication protocols, such as Ethernet, TCP/IP, SONET, ATM, or the like. Network connection interface QQ211 may implement receiver and transmitter functionality appropriate to the communication network links (e.g., optical, electrical, and the like). The transmitter and receiver functions may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively may be implemented separately.

RAM QQ217 may be configured to interface via bus QQ202 to processing circuitry QQ201 to provide storage or caching of data or computer instructions during the execution of software programs such as the operating system, application programs, and device drivers. ROM QQ219 may be configured to provide computer instructions or data to processing circuitry QQ201. For example, ROM QQ219 may be configured to store invariant low-level system code or data for basic system functions such as basic input and output (I/O), startup, or reception of keystrokes from a keyboard that are stored in a non-volatile memory. Storage medium QQ221 may be configured to include memory such as RAM, ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, floppy disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, or flash drives. In one example, storage medium QQ221 may be configured to include operating system QQ223, application program QQ225 such as a web browser application, a widget or gadget engine or another application, and data file QQ227. Storage medium QQ221 may store, for use by UE QQ200, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

Storage medium QQ221 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), floppy disk drive, flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini-dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as a subscriber identity module or a removable user identity (SIM/RUIM) module, other memory, or any combination thereof. Storage medium QQ221 may allow UE QQ200 to access computer-executable instructions, application programs or the like, stored on transitory or non-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied in storage medium QQ221, which may comprise a device readable medium.

In FIG. 16, processing circuitry QQ201 may be configured to communicate with network QQ243 b using communication subsystem QQ231. Network QQ243 a and network QQ243 b may be the same network or networks or different network or networks. Communication subsystem QQ231 may be configured to include one or more transceivers used to communicate with network QQ243 b. For example, communication subsystem QQ231 may be configured to include one or more transceivers used to communicate with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication such as another WD, UE, or base station of a radio access network (RAN) according to one or more communication protocols, such as IEEE 802.QQ2, CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, LTE, UTRAN, WiMax, or the like. Each transceiver may include transmitter QQ233 and/or receiver QQ235 to implement transmitter or receiver functionality, respectively, appropriate to the RAN links (e.g., frequency allocations and the like). Further, transmitter QQ233 and receiver QQ235 of each transceiver may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively may be implemented separately.

In the illustrated embodiment, the communication functions of communication subsystem QQ231 may include data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. For example, communication subsystem QQ231 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, Bluetooth communication, and GPS communication. Network QQ243 b may encompass wired and/or wireless networks such as a local-area network (LAN), a wide-area network (WAN), a computer network, a wireless network, a telecommunications network, another like network or any combination thereof. For example, network QQ243 b may be a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, and/or a near-field network. Power source QQ213 may be configured to provide alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power to components of UE QQ200.

The features, benefits and/or functions described herein may be implemented in one of the components of UE QQ200 or partitioned across multiple components of UE QQ200. Further, the features, benefits, and/or functions described herein may be implemented in any combination of hardware, software or firmware. In one example, communication subsystem QQ231 may be configured to include any of the components described herein. Further, processing circuitry QQ201 may be configured to communicate with any of such components over bus QQ202. In another example, any of such components may be represented by program instructions stored in memory that when executed by processing circuitry QQ201 perform the corresponding functions described herein. In another example, the functionality of any of such components may be partitioned between processing circuitry QQ201 and communication subsystem QQ231. In another example, the non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and the computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

FIG. 17 illustrates a virtualization environment in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment QQ300 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualizing means creating virtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may include virtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to a node (e.g., a virtualized base station or a virtualized radio access node) or to a device (e.g., a UE, a wireless device or any other type of communication device) or components thereof and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components (e.g., via one or more applications, components, functions, virtual machines or containers executing on one or more physical processing nodes in one or more networks).

In some embodiments, some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines implemented in one or more virtual environments QQ300 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes QQ330. Further, in embodiments in which the virtual node is not a radio access node or does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node), then the network node may be entirely virtualized.

The functions may be implemented by one or more applications QQ320 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) operative to implement some of the features, functions, and/or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein. Applications QQ320 are run in virtualization environment QQ300 which provides hardware QQ330 comprising processing circuitry QQ360 and memory QQ390. Memory QQ390 contains instructions QQ395 executable by processing circuitry QQ360 whereby application QQ320 is operative to provide one or more of the features, benefits, and/or functions disclosed herein.

Virtualization environment QQ300, comprises general-purpose or special-purpose network hardware devices QQ330 comprising a set of one or more processors or processing circuitry QQ360, which may be commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processors, dedicated Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), or any other type of processing circuitry including digital or analog hardware components or special purpose processors. Each hardware device may comprise memory QQ390-1 which may be non-persistent memory for temporarily storing instructions QQ395 or software executed by processing circuitry QQ360. Each hardware device may comprise one or more network interface controllers (NICs) QQ370, also known as network interface cards, which include physical network interface QQ380. Each hardware device may also include non-transitory, persistent, machine-readable storage media QQ390-2 having stored therein software QQ395 and/or instructions executable by processing circuitry QQ360. Software QQ395 may include any type of software including software for instantiating one or more virtualization layers QQ350 (also referred to as hypervisors), software to execute virtual machines QQ340 as well as software allowing it to execute functions, features and/or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein.

Virtual machines QQ340, comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by a corresponding virtualization layer QQ350 or hypervisor. Different embodiments of the instance of virtual appliance QQ320 may be implemented on one or more of virtual machines QQ340, and the implementations may be made in different ways.

During operation, processing circuitry QQ360 executes software QQ395 to instantiate the hypervisor or virtualization layer QQ350, which may sometimes be referred to as a virtual machine monitor (VMM). Virtualization layer QQ350 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to virtual machine QQ340.

As shown in FIG. 17, hardware QQ330 may be a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware QQ330 may comprise antenna QQ3225 and may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware QQ330 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g. such as in a data center or customer premise equipment (CPE)) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration (MANO) QQ3100, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications QQ320.

Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers, and customer premise equipment.

In the context of NFV, virtual machine QQ340 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each of virtual machines QQ340, and that part of hardware QQ330 that executes that virtual machine, be it hardware dedicated to that virtual machine and/or hardware shared by that virtual machine with others of the virtual machines QQ340, forms a separate virtual network elements (VNE).

Still in the context of NFV, Virtual Network Function (VNF) is responsible for handling specific network functions that run in one or more virtual machines QQ340 on top of hardware networking infrastructure QQ330 and corresponds to application QQ320 in FIG. 17.

In some embodiments, one or more radio units QQ3200 that each include one or more transmitters QQ3220 and one or more receivers QQ3210 may be coupled to one or more antennas QQ3225. Radio units QQ3200 may communicate directly with hardware nodes QQ330 via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station.

In some embodiments, some signalling can be effected with the use of control system QQ3230 which may alternatively be used for communication between the hardware nodes QQ330 and radio units QQ3200.

FIG. 18 illustrates a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer in accordance with some embodiments.

With reference to FIG. 18, in accordance with an embodiment, a communication system includes telecommunication network QQ410, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises access network QQ411, such as a radio access network, and core network QQ414. Access network QQ411 comprises a plurality of base stations QQ412 a, QQ412 b, QQ412 c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area QQ413 a, QQ413 b, QQ413 c. Each base station QQ412 a, QQ412 b, QQ412 c is connectable to core network QQ414 over a wired or wireless connection QQ415. A first UE QQ491 located in coverage area QQ413 c is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base station QQ412 c. A second UE QQ492 in coverage area QQ413 a is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station QQ412 a. While a plurality of UEs QQ491, QQ492 are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to the corresponding base station QQ412.

Telecommunication network QQ410 is itself connected to host computer QQ430, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server or as processing resources in a server farm. Host computer QQ430 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. Connections QQ421 and QQ422 between telecommunication network QQ410 and host computer QQ430 may extend directly from core network QQ414 to host computer QQ430 or may go via an optional intermediate network QQ420. Intermediate network QQ420 may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network; intermediate network QQ420, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, intermediate network QQ420 may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown).

The communication system of FIG. 18 as a whole enables connectivity between the connected UEs QQ491, QQ492 and host computer QQ430. The connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection QQ450. Host computer QQ430 and the connected UEs QQ491, QQ492 are configured to communicate data and/or signaling via OTT connection QQ450, using access network QQ411, core network QQ414, any intermediate network QQ420 and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. OTT connection QQ450 may be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which OTT connection QQ450 passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, base station QQ412 may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from host computer QQ430 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected UE QQ491. Similarly, base station QQ412 need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the UE QQ491 towards the host computer QQ430.

FIG. 19 illustrates a host computer communicating via a base station with a user equipment over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments.

Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the UE, base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to FIG. 19. In communication system QQ500, host computer QQ510 comprises hardware QQ515 including communication interface QQ516 configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication system QQ500. Host computer QQ510 further comprises processing circuitry QQ518, which may have storage and/or processing capabilities. In particular, processing circuitry QQ518 may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Host computer QQ510 further comprises software QQ511, which is stored in or accessible by host computer QQ510 and executable by processing circuitry QQ518. Software QQ511 includes host application QQ512. Host application QQ512 may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as UE QQ530 connecting via OTT connection QQ550 terminating at UE QQ530 and host computer QQ510. In providing the service to the remote user, host application QQ512 may provide user data which is transmitted using OTT connection QQ550.

Communication system QQ500 further includes base station QQ520 provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware QQ525 enabling it to communicate with host computer QQ510 and with UE QQ530. Hardware QQ525 may include communication interface QQ526 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication system QQ500, as well as radio interface QQ527 for setting up and maintaining at least wireless connection QQ570 with UE QQ530 located in a coverage area (not shown in FIG. 19) served by base station QQ520. Communication interface QQ526 may be configured to facilitate connection QQ560 to host computer QQ510. Connection QQ560 may be direct or it may pass through a core network (not shown in FIG. 19) of the telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. In the embodiment shown, hardware QQ525 of base station QQ520 further includes processing circuitry QQ528, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Base station QQ520 further has software QQ521 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

Communication system QQ500 further includes UE QQ530 already referred to. Its hardware QQ535 may include radio interface QQ537 configured to set up and maintain wireless connection QQ570 with a base station serving a coverage area in which UE QQ530 is currently located. Hardware QQ535 of UE QQ530 further includes processing circuitry QQ538, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. UE QQ530 further comprises software QQ531, which is stored in or accessible by UE QQ530 and executable by processing circuitry QQ538. Software QQ531 includes client application QQ532. Client application QQ532 may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via UE QQ530, with the support of host computer QQ510. In host computer QQ510, an executing host application QQ512 may communicate with the executing client application QQ532 via OTT connection QQ550 terminating at UE QQ530 and host computer QQ510. In providing the service to the user, client application QQ532 may receive request data from host application QQ512 and provide user data in response to the request data. OTT connection QQ550 may transfer both the request data and the user data. Client application QQ532 may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides.

It is noted that host computer QQ510, base station QQ520 and UE QQ530 illustrated in FIG. 19 may be similar or identical to host computer QQ430, one of base stations QQ412 a, QQ412 b, QQ412 c and one of UEs QQ491, QQ492 of FIG. 18, respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown in FIG. 19 and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of FIG. 18.

In FIG. 19, OTT connection QQ550 has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between host computer QQ510 and UE QQ530 via base station QQ520, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. Network infrastructure may determine the routing, which it may be configured to hide from UE QQ530 or from the service provider operating host computer QQ510, or both. While OTT connection QQ550 is active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing consideration or reconfiguration of the network).

Wireless connection QQ570 between UE QQ530 and base station QQ520 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments may improve the performance of OTT services provided to UE QQ530 using OTT connection QQ550, in which wireless connection QQ570 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the random access speed and/or reduce random access failure rates and thereby provide benefits such as faster and/or more reliable random access.

A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring OTT connection QQ550 between host computer QQ510 and UE QQ530, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring OTT connection QQ550 may be implemented in software QQ511 and hardware QQ515 of host computer QQ510 or in software QQ531 and hardware QQ535 of UE QQ530, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which OTT connection QQ550 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software QQ511, QQ531 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of OTT connection QQ550 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect base station QQ520, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to base station QQ520. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling facilitating host computer QQ510's measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. The measurements may be implemented in that software QQ511 and QQ531 causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using OTT connection QQ550 while it monitors propagation times, errors etc.

FIG. 20 illustrates methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 20 will be included in this section. In step QQ610, the host computer provides user data. In substep QQ611 (which may be optional) of step QQ610, the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step QQ620, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. In step QQ630 (which may be optional), the base station transmits to the UE the user data which was carried in the transmission that the host computer initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step QQ640 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

FIG. 21 illustrates methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 21 will be included in this section. In step QQ710 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional substep (not shown) the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step QQ720, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. The transmission may pass via the base station, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step QQ730 (which may be optional), the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

FIG. 22 illustrates methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 22 will be included in this section. In step QQ810 (which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in step QQ820, the UE provides user data. In substep QQ821 (which may be optional) of step QQ820, the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In substep QQ811 (which may be optional) of step QQ810, the UE executes a client application which provides the user data in reaction to the received input data provided by the host computer. In providing the user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE initiates, in substep QQ830 (which may be optional), transmission of the user data to the host computer. In step QQ840 of the method, the host computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

FIG. 23 illustrates methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 23 will be included in this section. In step QQ910 (which may be optional), in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. In step QQ920 (which may be optional), the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step QQ930 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

Any appropriate steps, methods, features, functions, or benefits disclosed herein may be performed through one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual apparatuses. Each virtual apparatus may comprise a number of these functional units. These functional units may be implemented via processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs), special-purpose digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. Program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and/or data communications protocols as well as instructions for carrying out one or more of the techniques described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause the respective functional unit to perform corresponding functions according one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

The term unit may have conventional meaning in the field of electronics, electrical devices and/or electronic devices and may include, for example, electrical and/or electronic circuitry, devices, modules, processors, memories, logic solid state and/or discrete devices, computer programs or instructions for carrying out respective tasks, procedures, computations, outputs, and/or displaying functions, and so on, as such as those that are described herein.

Abbreviations

At least some of the following abbreviations may be used in this disclosure. If there is an inconsistency between abbreviations, preference should be given to how it is used above. If listed multiple times below, the first listing should be preferred over any subsequent listing(s).

-   -   1×RTT CDMA2000 1× Radio Transmission Technology     -   3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project     -   5G 5th Generation     -   ABS Almost Blank Subframe     -   ARQ Automatic Repeat Request     -   AWGN Additive White Gaussian Noise     -   BCCH Broadcast Control Channel     -   BCH Broadcast Channel     -   CA Carrier Aggregation     -   CC Carrier Component     -   CCCH SDU Common Control Channel SDU     -   CDMA Code Division Multiplexing Access     -   CGI Cell Global Identifier     -   CIR Channel Impulse Response     -   CP Cyclic Prefix     -   CPICH Common Pilot Channel     -   CPICH Ec/No CPICH Received energy per chip divided by the power         density in the band     -   CQI Channel Quality information     -   C-RNTI Cell RNTI     -   CSI Channel State Information     -   DCCH Dedicated Control Channel     -   DL Downlink     -   DM Demodulation     -   DMRS Demodulation Reference Signal     -   DRX Discontinuous Reception     -   DTX Discontinuous Transmission     -   DTCH Dedicated Traffic Channel     -   DUT Device Under Test     -   E-CID Enhanced Cell-ID (positioning method)     -   E-SMLC Evolved-Serving Mobile Location Centre     -   ECGI Evolved CGI     -   eNB E-UTRAN NodeB     -   ePDCCH enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel     -   E-SMLC evolved Serving Mobile Location Center     -   E-UTRA Evolved UTRA     -   E-UTRAN Evolved UTRAN     -   FDD Frequency Division Duplex     -   FFS For Further Study     -   GERAN GSM EDGE Radio Access Network     -   gNB Base station in NR     -   GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System     -   GSM Global System for Mobile communication     -   HARQ Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request     -   HO Handover     -   HSPA High Speed Packet Access     -   HRPD High Rate Packet Data     -   ITS Intelligent Transport Systems     -   ITS-S ITS Station     -   LOS Line of Sight     -   LPP LTE Positioning Protocol     -   LTE Long-Term Evolution     -   MAC Medium Access Control     -   MBMS Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services     -   MBSFN Multimedia Broadcast multicast service Single Frequency         Network     -   MBSFN ABS MBSFN Almost Blank Subframe     -   MDT Minimization of Drive Tests     -   MIB Master Information Block     -   MME Mobility Management Entity     -   MSC Mobile Switching Center     -   NPDCCH Narrowband Physical Downlink Control Channel     -   NR New Radio     -   OCNG OFDMA Channel Noise Generator     -   OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing     -   OFDMA Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access     -   OSS Operations Support System     -   OTDOA Observed Time Difference of Arrival     -   O&M Operation and Maintenance     -   PBCH Physical Broadcast Channel     -   P-CCPCH Primary Common Control Physical Channel     -   PCell Primary Cell     -   PCFICH Physical Control Format Indicator Channel     -   PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel     -   PDP Profile Delay Profile     -   PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel     -   PGW Packet Gateway     -   PHICH Physical Hybrid-ARQ Indicator Channel     -   PLMN Public Land Mobile Network     -   PMI Precoder Matrix Indicator     -   PRACH Physical Random Access Channel     -   PRS Positioning Reference Signal     -   PSS Primary Synchronization Signal     -   PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel     -   PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel     -   RACH Random Access Channel     -   QAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulation     -   RAN Radio Access Network     -   RAT Radio Access Technology     -   RLM Radio Link Management     -   RNC Radio Network Controller     -   RNTI Radio Network Temporary Identifier     -   RRC Radio Resource Control     -   RRM Radio Resource Management     -   RS Reference Signal     -   RSCP Received Signal Code Power     -   RSRP Reference Symbol Received Power OR Reference Signal         Received Power     -   RSRQ Reference Signal Received Quality OR Reference Symbol         Received Quality     -   RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator     -   RSTD Reference Signal Time Difference     -   SCH Synchronization Channel     -   SCell Secondary Cell     -   SDU Service Data Unit     -   SFN System Frame Number     -   SGW Serving Gateway     -   SI System Information     -   SIB System Information Block     -   SNR Signal to Noise Ratio     -   SON Self Optimized Network     -   SS Synchronization Signal     -   SSS Secondary Synchronization Signal     -   TDD Time Division Duplex     -   TDOA Time Difference of Arrival     -   TOA Time of Arrival     -   ToD Tele-operated driving     -   TSS Tertiary Synchronization Signal     -   TTI Transmission Time Interval     -   UE User Equipment     -   UL Uplink     -   UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunication System     -   USIM Universal Subscriber Identity Module     -   UTDOA Uplink Time Difference of Arrival     -   UTRA Universal Terrestrial Radio Access     -   UTRAN Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network     -   V2X AS V2X application server     -   VAE V2X Application Enabler     -   V2X UE User equipment     -   V2X Vehicle to everything     -   VAL Vertical application layer     -   WCDMA Wide CDMA     -   WLAN Wide Local Area Network

Further definitions and embodiments are discussed below.

In the above-description of various embodiments of present inventive concepts, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of present inventive concepts. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which present inventive concepts belong. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

When an element is referred to as being “connected”, “coupled”, “responsive”, or variants thereof to another element, it can be directly connected, coupled, or responsive to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly coupled”, “directly responsive”, or variants thereof to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, “coupled”, “connected”, “responsive”, or variants thereof as used herein may include wirelessly coupled, connected, or responsive. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements/operations, these elements/operations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element/operation from another element/operation. Thus, a first element/operation in some embodiments could be termed a second element/operation in other embodiments without departing from the teachings of present inventive concepts. The same reference numerals or the same reference designators denote the same or similar elements throughout the specification.

As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “comprises”, “include”, “including”, “includes”, “have”, “has”, “having”, or variants thereof are open-ended, and include one or more stated features, integers, elements, steps, components or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof. Furthermore, as used herein, the common abbreviation “e.g.”, which derives from the Latin phrase “exempli gratia,” may be used to introduce or specify a general example or examples of a previously mentioned item, and is not intended to be limiting of such item. The common abbreviation “i.e.”, which derives from the Latin phrase “id est,” may be used to specify a particular item from a more general recitation.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference to block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations of computer-implemented methods, apparatus (systems and/or devices) and/or computer program products. It is understood that a block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions that are performed by one or more computer circuits. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor circuit of a general purpose computer circuit, special purpose computer circuit, and/or other programmable data processing circuit to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus, transform and control transistors, values stored in memory locations, and other hardware components within such circuitry to implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks, and thereby create means (functionality) and/or structure for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block(s).

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a tangible computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks. Accordingly, embodiments of present inventive concepts may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) that runs on a processor such as a digital signal processor, which may collectively be referred to as “circuitry,” “a module” or variants thereof.

It should also be noted that in some alternate implementations, the functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the flowcharts. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Moreover, the functionality of a given block of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be separated into multiple blocks and/or the functionality of two or more blocks of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be at least partially integrated. Finally, other blocks may be added/inserted between the blocks that are illustrated, and/or blocks/operations may be omitted without departing from the scope of inventive concepts. Moreover, although some of the diagrams include arrows on communication paths to show a primary direction of communication, it is to be understood that communication may occur in the opposite direction to the depicted arrows.

Many variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments without substantially departing from the principles of the present inventive concepts. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of present inventive concepts. Accordingly, the above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the examples of embodiments are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the spirit and scope of present inventive concepts. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of present inventive concepts are to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the present disclosure including the examples of embodiments and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description. 

1. A method of operating a first device in a wireless communication network, the method comprising: establishing a tele-operated driving session between the first device and a second device; updating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device; and terminating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second device comprises a V2X application enabler, VAE, client device and the first device comprises a VAE server.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing the tele-operated driving session comprises sending, by the first device and to the second device, a tele-operated driving request.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the tele-operated driving request comprises tele-operated service information.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the tele-operated service information comprises at least one of: an identifier of a user equipment, UE, involved in the service; a UE specific feature including a UE type or an antenna configuration; geo-referenced information for tele-operated driving service, the geo-referenced information comprising a geographical area where the service is expected to be delivered and/or in expected/planned vehicle trajectory; a time interval during which the service is expected; and a measurement and/or information to be reported before or during the service.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the tele-operated driving request comprises tele-operated service requirements, and wherein the tele-operated service requirements comprise Quality of Service, QoS, requirements comprising minimum required bitrate and/or maximum tolerated latency.
 8. (canceled)
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing the tele-operated driving session comprises receiving, by the first device and from the second device, a tele-operated driving response indicating approval of the tele-operation by the first device.
 10. (canceled)
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein before establishing the tele-operated service, the method further comprises triggering the first device to establish the tele-operated driving service with the second device.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein updating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device comprises: sending, by the first device to the second device, a tele-operated driving change request; and receiving, from the second device to the first device, a tele-operated driving change response indicating acceptance of the tele-operated change request, wherein the tele-operated change request comprises changes in activated services, a change in network requirements, a change in QoS requirements, and/or server information. 13-24. (canceled)
 25. A first device configured to operate in a wireless communication network, the first device comprising: processing circuitry; and memory coupled with the processing circuitry, wherein the memory includes instructions that when executed by the processing circuitry causes the first device to perform operations of: establishing a tele-operated driving session between the first device and a second device; updating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device; and terminating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device. 26-28. (canceled)
 29. A system comprising: a first device that is configured to operate in a wireless communication network; a second device that is configured to receive a tele-operated driving request that is sent by the first device; and a network node that is configured to provide communication between the first device and the second device, wherein the network node is configured to: establish a tele-operated driving session between the first device and a second device; update the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device; and terminate the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device. 30-39. (canceled)
 40. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing program code to be executed by a processing circuitry of a first device configured to operate in a wireless communication network, whereby execution of the program code causes the first device to perform operations according to a method of claim
 1. 41. The first device of claim 25, wherein the second device comprises a V2X application enabler, VAE, client device and the first device comprises a VAE server.
 42. The first device of claim 25, wherein establishing the tele-operated driving session comprises sending, by the first device and to the second device, a tele-operated driving request.
 43. The first device of claim 42, wherein the tele-operated driving request comprises tele-operated service information.
 44. The first device of claim 43, wherein the tele-operated service information comprises at least one of: an identifier of a user equipment, UE, involved in the service; a UE specific feature including a UE type or an antenna configuration; geo-referenced information for tele-operated driving service, the geo-referenced information comprising a geographical area where the service is expected to be delivered and/or in expected/planned vehicle trajectory; a time interval during which the service is expected; and a measurement and/or information to be reported before or during the service.
 45. The first device of claim 42, wherein the tele-operated driving request comprises tele-operated service requirements, and wherein the tele-operated service requirements comprise Quality of Service, QoS, requirements comprising minimum required bitrate and/or maximum tolerated latency.
 46. The first device of claim 25, wherein establishing the tele-operated driving session comprises receiving, by the first device and from the second device, a tele-operated driving response indicating approval of the tele-operation by the first device.
 47. The first device of claim 25, wherein before establishing the tele-operated service, the method further comprises triggering—the first device to establish the tele-operated driving service with the second device.
 48. The first device of claim 25, wherein updating the tele-operated driving session between the first device and the second device comprises: sending, by the first device to the second device, a tele-operated driving change request; and receiving, from the second device to the first device, a tele-operated driving change response indicating acceptance of the tele-operated change request, wherein the tele-operated change request comprises changes in activated services, a change in network requirements, a change in QoS requirements, and/or server information. 